ECS Group launches “world first” GSA mail service
21 / 03 / 2022
Source: ECS Group
ECS Group has launched a dedicated mail and e-commerce service that is believed to be a world first for GSAs.
The Group said its Mail & More module means it is the first GSA worldwide to provide a comprehensive mail solution with in-house digital process support to carry mail as cargo or under CN documents.
Mail & More offers collection and delivery under CN, ensures full mail-specific EDI compliance and comes with a track and trace system.
ECS Group said the service includes a dedicated team with the expert, technical knowledge that this commodity requires, and a network of contacts to all global postal operators and e-commerce consolidators, allowing airlines to maximise on the revenue potentials of this precise commodity segment.
Operational processes for airmail deviate from those of normal air cargo as mail items fly under a CN document as opposed to an air waybill, and are not usually booked, but part of a predefined allotment.
The client network of designated post operators (various public and private postal services), also differs from the usual freight forwarding partners.
In addition, specific authorities such as the International Post Corporation and the Universal Postal Union define standards, processes, and regulations for the transport and handling of mail shipments.
A separate framework stipulates an airline’s obligations, liabilities, and response procedures to irregularities.
“We understand that airlines often find dealing with mail shipments and customers difficult because of the difference in processes, and not all of them can allocate a separate team to the task,” said Jonathan Fredericks, Mail & More managing director.
“That is why, with Mail & More, we provide fully outsourceable, commodity-specific assistance ranging from commercial responsibilities all the way through to digital support.
“To date, we have implemented a flexible EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Mail solution for three airlines which enables the tracking and tracing of CN documents, and the conversion of CN documents to Postal Air Waybills (PAWB) when necessary.”
In recent years, an increasing volume of e-commerce also falls under airmail
In 2021, in addition to offering CN-flow transport solutions to postal operators via its network, ECS Group operated 25 dedicated mail & e-commerce charters from Hong Kong (HKG) to Europe and from Europe to Africa, transporting more than 200 tonnes of mail & e-commerce in the second half of the year.
The Mail & More module is one of a range of new products available as part of the Group’s augmented GSA concept.
